Carbon teratogenicity

FAS is normally characterized by growth retardation, anomalies of the head and face, and psychomotor dysfunctions. Excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol may lead to malformations of the heart, extremities, and kidneys. Since consumption of ethyl alcohol is socially acceptable and prevalent even in pregnant women, the risks associated with the use of ethyl alcohol are remarkable. However, it should be kept in mind that there are several chemical compounds in tlie occupational environment that may also cause malformations even at low doses. The oc-cupationally-important known human teratogens include methyl mercury, ethyl alcohol, PCB compounds, tobacco smoke, lead, TCDD, 2,4,5- F, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, gasoline, and fluoride. 

Noda T, Morita S, Baba A (1994) Enhanced teratogenic activity of di-n-butyltin diaeetate by carbon tetrachloride pretreatment in rats. Food and Chemioal Toxicology, 32(4) 321-327. 

Beliles RP, Brucik DJ, Mecler FJ, et al. 1980. Teratogenic-mutagenic risk of workplace contaminants Trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, and carbon disulfide. U S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Contract No. 210-77-0047. 

The ability to form carbon—carbon bonds in a controlled manner around an alkene is the subject of continuing intense research [49,134—136], These compounds are stable and, due to the considerably different reactivities of the C—Zr and C—B bonds, allow for selective and sequential reactions with a variety of electrophiles. Temarotene 58 is a retinoid of interest [137] because it shows no sign of hypervitaminosis A and it is not teratogenic, presumably due to the lack of a polar group [138,139], The published synthesis of temarotene-type compounds is long and leads to mixtures of diastereo-isomers, from which the desired product is eventually isolated [140—142], However, the synthesis of temarotene 58 by the method of Srebnik et al. [130] is straightforward, as outlined in Scheme 7.18. 

Figure 2.1 Piperidine ring (a) and three functionalities of three carbons or larger that impart teratogenic activity (b) coniine, (c) anabasine, and (d) ammodendrine.

Nicotiana species and certain lupine species also contain potent toxic and teratogenic piperidine alkaloids (Figure 2.4). All teratogenic piperidine alkaloids have specific structural characteristics that are responsible for induction of birth defects. Their molecular structures include a piperidine ring, with a side chain of at least three carbons or larger attached adjacent to... 

Retinoic acid a 20-carbon carboxylic acid involved in development and differentiation a potent teratogen. 

Norman CA, Halton DM Is carbon monoxide a workplace teratogen A review and evaluation of the literature. Ann Occup Hyg 34 335-347, 1990... 

In animals, oral exposure to carbon tetrachloride at doses of 1,400 mg/kg/day during gestation caused marked maternal toxicity in rats, and there was total resorption of fetuses in some animals, but no teratogenic effects or other adverse effects were apparent in surviving litters (Wilson 1954). 

Developmental Effects. No studies were located regarding development effects in humans after exposure to carbon tetrachloride. In animals, no teratogenic orfetotoxic effects were observed in rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride either by inhalation (Schwetz et al. 1974) or ingestion (Wilson 1954), except at doses that produced clear maternal toxicity. These conclusions are also supported... 

Developmental Toxicity. Limited data suggest that carbon tetrachloride has a low potential for developmental toxicity in animals. Fetal size was reduced and viability and lactation indices were decreased following high-level inhalation exposure (Gilman 1971 Schwetz et al. 1974). Fetotoxicity and teratogenicity were not seen in offspring coming to term, but total resorption of fetuses occurred... 

Gilman MR. 1971. A preliminary study of the teratogenic effects of inhaled carbon tetrachloride and ethyl alcohol consumption in the rat. Dissertation. Philadelphia, PA Drexel University. 

Teratogenicity tends to increase as the length of the alkyl moiety of parent acid increases, and becomes maximal with acids six carbons in length. 

Common materials such as sodium chloride, carbon dioxide, and cottonseed oil are not included in Table I, nor are such food Ingredients as cholesterol, caffeine, lactose, and leucine, even though they are used in some of the laboratory experiments and they do appear in the list of potential teratogens (ref. 22). Students would get much more exposure to these compounds in their daily lives than in the chemistry laboratory. 

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly poison as well as a potential teratogen. 

Of the twenty potentially teratogenic chemicals listed in Table 1, the ones that appear to present most risk for the pregnant chemistry student are the organic liquids given in Table 2. Some of these (aniline, butanone, carbon disulfide, formaldehyde, and phenol) could easily be omitted from introductory laboratory courses. Benzene and toluene might be substituted by xylene (or perhaps by other hydrocarbons), and both chloroform and carbon tetrachloride could be replaced by methylene chloride. 

Warner JP. Evidence-based psychopharmacology 3. Assessing evidence of harm what are the teratogenic effects of lithium carbonate J Psychopharmacol 2000 14(l) 77-80. 

Whereas on Earth, PAHs and related species such as (benzo[a]pyrene) are considered as highly carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic, and therefore resemble unwanted by-product in combustion processes, the situation in quite reversed in hydrocarbon-rich atmospheres of planets and their moons, as well as in the interstellar medium. Here, PAH-like species are thought to contribute to the unidentified infrared emission bands (UIBs) observed between 3 and 15 )o,m. " Itis also estimated that PAHs and related molecules such as their radicals, ionized PAHs, and heteroaromatic PAH make up to 20% of the total cosmic carbon budget. Also, the role of PAHs in astrobiology should be noted. ... 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by subcutaneous and intravenous routes. Moderately toxic by intraperitoneal route. Human systemic effects by ingestion dyspnea. An experimental teratogen by many routes. Other experimental reproductive effects. When heated to decomposition it emits ver toxic fumes of NOx and SOx. A carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and diuretic used to treat glaucoma. 

SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by skin contact, inhalation, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Mildly toxic by ingestion. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. A skin and eye irritant. Less toxic than dimethylformamide. Mutation data reported. Combustible when exposed to heat and flame. A moderate explosion hazard. Violent reaction with halogenated compounds (e.g., carbon tetrachloride, hexachlorocyclohexane) when heated above 90°C. Iron powder catalyzes the reaction so that it initiates at 71 °C. 

SAFETY PROFILE Mldly toxic by ingestion. An experimental teratogen. Experimental reproductive effects. Questionable carcinogen with experimental mmorigenic data. Mutation data reported. Potentially explosive reaction with potassium nitrate + sodium peroxide when heated in a sealed container. Mixtures with alkali release carbon monoxide when heated. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intravenous and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. Questionable carcinogen. Probably a severe eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritant. Mutation data reported. A powerful oxidizer. Explodes on contact with red-hot carbon, cyclopentadienylsodium (at 100-130°C), potassium acetate + heat. Reacts violently with ammonium thiocyanate, carbon, lead hypophosphite. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Pb and NOx. Used as a mordant, a chemical reagent, and in production of matches and pyrotechnics. See also LEAD COMPOUNDS and NITRATES. 

Nickel refinery workers experience increased mortality rates from cancer of the lungs and nasal cavities attributed to inhalation of airborne nickel compounds. Cancer develops in rodents after administration of Ni3S2, NiO, and Ni(CO)4. Nickel chloride, sulfate, carbonate, and carbonyl are experimental teratogens. 

CAUTION Carbon disulfide is a colorless, poisonous liquid that is stored in brown bottles, forms explosive mixtures with air and is teratogenic. Use in a fume hood. 

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